Final Essays

Science, Technology, & More!
Review for Final Exam
2007-2008

Forms of Energy
Select a form of technology that transforms electrical energy. Trace the energy from its natural source to its ultimate fate. Why is efficiency always less than 100%?

Mechanical Energy
“Simple machines have the ability to change certain properties of work, but not the amount of energy involved.” Select a machine and explain the meaning of this statement.

Hydrocarbon Energy
Explain how the first four alkanes are related to each other. What are they made of? What are their properties?

Transmitting Information
What is the difference between AM and FM radio waves? How are they produced? How are they related to other electromagnetic waves?

Storing Information
Explain how information is stored on cassette tapes and floppy discs. How does the information get recorded? How does it get played back?

Information Processing
How does a scanner convert a color image into a data file? How is this similar to the processes of a color printer?

Rockets & Propulsion
Explain how a rocket ship can increase its acceleration. What should it do to its thrust and its cargo? What happens when its fuel runs out?

Satellites & Planets
What is a geosynchronous orbit? What are geosynchronous satellites good for? Why?

Cosmology
Explain how the elements of the universe were created. Why does the song say “We are stardust”?